'Recovered' Banksy works on display ahead of sale

April 27, 2014

LONDON (AP) - Elusive street artist Banksy says he has nothing to do with an auction of several of his works taken from walls and valued at up to 1 million pounds ($1.68 million).

A statement on Banksy's website Thursday said the "Stealing Banksy?" sale "has been organized without the involvement or consent of the artist."

Banksy spokeswoman Jo Brooks confirmed the message was genuine.

Banksy, who has never disclosed his full identity, began his career spray-painting buildings in Bristol, England and has become one of the world's best-known artists.

The fate of his works has grown more contentious as their value has risen. Banksy's satirical stencils swap hands for high six-figure sums; in February, his "Kissing Coppers" sold at a Miami auction for $575,000.

Seven works, including a giant rat and a girl with a red balloon, are being sold by Sincura Group, which says it prides itself on "obtaining the unobtainable." Sincura was criticized last year for handling the sale of a Bansky mural whose removal from the wall of a north London store dismayed many locals.

The company insists it removes Banksy murals only when "approached by building owners and asked to remove artwork illegally painted on their sites."

Sincura says the pieces will be exhibited at a London hotel until Sunday to explore "the social, legal and moral issues surrounding the sale of street art." They will then be sold by online auction and sealed bid.

The works include an image of two children playing with a "No Ball Games" sign which was cut off of a shop wall in London last year. Sincura, which has valued the work at 1 million pounds, says proceeds from its sale will go to unspecified local charities.